Our wildlife conservation and protection film, Richmond Park – National Nature Reserve, presented by Sir David Attenborough, has won the best 'Longform' film in the 2018 national Charity Film Awards.
The Friends would like to say a big THANK YOU to everyone who voted for the film to enable it to reach the final short list.
Photo: Sir David meets some of the rich wildlife in Richmond Park including protected stag beetles that depend on rotten wood for nesting and breeding. Photo by Julia Balfour
The 21 minute long film, produced by the Friends of Richmond Park (FRP), was originally up against 85 other entries in its category of charity films and at the awards ceremony at Westminster Central Hall on 11th May 2018, it was crowned winner from a shortlist of five.
Last year, the film won the top Gold award in its category at the prestigious EVCom Clarion Awards (film communication awards for corporate social responsibility and sustainability, including the environment).
Speaking after being presented with the Charity Film Award, FRP Chairman Ron Crompton said: “As a small local charity which has never made a film before, let alone entered any awards competition, we're extremely proud and pleasantly surprised to have won our category and the previous Evcom award.
“Most importantly, this will help to spread the key conservation message of the film – Tread Lightly in Richmond Park – designed to raise awareness that Richmond Park is a National Nature Reserve and a very special place for wildlife. The millions of visitors who enjoy the Park can help us to protect this special place by following the film's helpful conservation guidelines as expressed by Sir David Attenborough”.
Sir David Attenborough says in the fim:
“Whether your visit to Richmond Park is once in a lifetime or every day, enjoy it and be inspired by its history, beauty and wildlife. Please love it like I do and remember to tread lightly in Richmond Park.”
Richmond Park – National Nature Reserve is available to view as both a long-form 21 min video and a short-form version of 4 minutes; see www.richmondparkfilm.org.uk or here on YouTube.
The film may also be viewed during Park opening hours in Richmond Park by Pembroke Lodge and is available on DVD (price £5.00) at the Visitor Information Centre.
The Friends of Richmond organises many screenings and presentations of the film in schools, colleges, societies and other groups. If you are interested, please contact Richard Gray below.
For more pictures and editorial information:
Richard Gray, tel 07768 022100 e: press@frp.org.uk
Film credits:
Presented and narrated by
Sir David Attenborough
Directed by
George Chan
Written by
George Chan, Ron Crompton, Richard Gray
Executive Producers
Ron Crompton
Richard Gray
Photography
George Chan
Additional photography
Gavin Thurston, Robert Alexander, Adam Baranowski, Ben Chappell, Sam Rowley
Aerial photography
Sky Vantage Ltd
Producer
Wendy Pearce
Associate Producer
Ben Chappell
Sound
David Bekkevold
Editors
George Chan, James Hobson, Thomas Paul Martin
Wildlife Consultants
Simon Richards – Richmond Park Manager, The Royal Parks
Julia Balfour – Head of Ecology, The Royal Parks
Hugh Bostock, John Corkindale, John Hatto, Daniel Hearsum, Nigel Jackman, Jan Wilczur….
With thanks to:
David Balfour, John Bartram, Rosie Gloyns, Daniel Hearsum, Paula Redmond, Sula Riedinger
With special thanks to Daniel Hearsum and The Hearsum Foundation
Filmed with kind permission of The Royal Parks
Brief biogs about the film makers
George Chan, Director: George both directed the film, co-scripted it and shot most of the ground sequences in Richmond Park over a 10 month period.
George is a passionate and highly creative natural history film-maker specialising with 11 years experience at the BBC Natural History Unit. He worked on some of their most high profile productions including Planet Earth and Wild China and has been involved in more than 25 short drama films for festivals.
Gavin Thurston: Gavin is a highly experienced natural history film-maker and filmed the David Attenborough sequences in Richmond Park – National Nature Reserve. He's worked with David on numerous projects including Blue Planet 2 and has won and been nominated